3,228. Importing and Exporting Produce

Terumos 1:22

Produce that is brought from Israel to outside of Israel is exempt from challah, terumah and tithes. Numbers 15:18 says, “the land to which I am bringing you,” meaning that these things are only obligatory there, and not outside of Israel. If produce is brought to Syria, one is obligated in these things by rabbinic enactment. On the other hand, we must take challah from produce that is brought into Israel from outside of Israel. The words “to which” in the verse cited above teach that these things are obligatory there, regardless of the country of origin of the produce. If the produce became obligated because of a Jew’s actions after it entered Israel, the obligation of tithes is rabbinic in nature.

Terumos 1:23

If soil from outside of Israel is brought to Israel by ship and the ship touches the soil of Israel, then terumah, tithes and shemittah apply to produce growing in the ship the same as they do to produce growing in Israel proper.